6 Tips for Avoiding Burnout in Your Job Search

Searching for a new job — even with the multitude of tools and resources available — can be almost immediately overwhelming. So it's no surprise a large amount of job seekers experience job search burnout at one point or another.

Want to get back on track to new employment? Here are some ways to avoid burnout in your job search:

Replace Applying to Jobs With Networking

It's easy to get burned out in the job search process and just give up. When you're feeling like you can't look at one more applicant tracking system, it's time to switch gears. Instead of giving up entirely, work at networking instead. It can be way more fun to meet new people and build new relationships than to fill out another form. Plus, these new contacts can turn into hot job leads, and help your video resume or cover letter get in front of the right set of eyes.

Today there are about a dozen different ways to find a job. By playing in all the buckets (job boards, social media, networking, temping/contract work, volunteering, etc.), candidates have a varied day and maximize their chances of success as no one can predict which bucket will lead to the job.

Burnout often accompanies a long, strenuous job search. Job seekers can avoid burning out by keeping themselves busy outside of their search for employment. This means staying active, spending time outdoors, enjoying hobbies, and making time for friends and family. Similar to the work-life balance you try to maintain while employed, it's important not to let your job search consume you.

Don't stray from your original search criteria. Know and learn about the three or four companies that best support your search and focus on the specific roles that align with your interests, strengths and goals. Do not look at too many (more than four or five) jobs or companies at the same time.

Walk, run, lift weights, etc. Do this away from home. It's so hard if you have been out for a while, and you get more and more desperate, but job search burnout will hurt you the long-term. You could also volunteer for something — whether in your church, your community, or even for a friend who is working. Doing something that gets you partially in the workforce will keep you engaged.

If you must look at job postings, don't spend hours surfing the web. Set up email alerts with a job aggregator like Indeed.com. Commit to looking at the results over coffee for 10 minutes each morning. That really should be all you need. Set up alerts using Google news alerts to alert you of companies in your industry of choice that have activity. An example is: Medical Device Companies+Growth+Texas. You can also track individual companies this way.